Sprinkler



I. JEPSON SPRINKLER Nov. 25, 11952 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed May 19, 1948 Nov. 25, 1952 I. J

EPSON I 2319;380

SPRINKLER Filed May 19, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Patented Nov. 25, 1 952 2,619,380 SPRINKLER Ivar .Iepson, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Sunbeam Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application May 19, 1948, Serial No. 28,020 13 Claims. (01. 299 -69) This invention relates to sprinklers and more particularly to water sprinklers of the reaction vane typefor lawns and horticultural use.

:Sprinklers of the above type have not; heretofore, been altogether satisfactory. For example, certain prior sprinklers have been of the one arm single nozzle type. Due to the fact that part of the velocity head of the water being discharged from this nozzle is lost during impingement of the water on the reaction vane the distance at which such sprinklers are effective is limited. Another'objection to such reaction vane type of sprinklers is that on windy days thesprinklers do not operate satisfactorily since the stream between the discharge nozzle and the vane is deflected with each gust of wind. As a result the rotation of the nozzle is erratic. Another difficulty with sprinklers of the above construction is that they have not given a uniform water distribution pattern. Thus at a distance from the sprinkler there is a heavier concentration of water than at the area around the base of the sprinkler.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is the provision in a sprinkler of the above character, of means whereby the distance at which the sprinkler is effective is increased.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a sprinkler of the above character, of means for shielding the stream being directed against the reaction vane from the elfects of wind or from physical interference. V

Still another object of the invention is the provision in a sprinkler of the above character, of means for deflecting and distributing a portion of water impinging on the vane to the area adjacent the base of the sprinkler, whereby a uniform water distribution pattern throughout the effective area of the sprinkler is attained.

Still another object of the inventionis to provide a sprinkler of the above character which is rugged and sturdy, which is simple in construction, which has a relatively long life, and which isrelatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the. invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 isa view taken substantially along the plane passing through the vertical axis of a lawn sprinkler embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is 'a top view of the sprinkler shown in Fig. "l; r a

Fig. 3 is an endyiewtaken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

tially along the plane passing through theverti-' cal axis of'a modified formof the sprinkler embodying the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a top view of the sprinkler sho n:

in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the'line 9-9 of Fig. 7; and r Fig. 10 is an end view taken substantially along the line I'm-l0 of Fig. 6.

Referring now'to the drawings, the invention is shown embodied in a sprinkler adapted for" sprinkling lawns, gardens, and golf courses, and

also adapted generally for horticultural sprinkling. In general, the sprinkler comprises a pair of water discharging nozzle 2| and 22 mounted for rotation about a fixed axis and a reaction vane 23 normally rigid with relation to the nozzles 2| and 22 and shaped to be disposed in the discharge stream of one of the nozzles to eifect rotation of the nozzles. As shown in Figure 1' the nozzles 21 and 22 are in communication with pas-' sageways 24 and 26, respectively, at opposite ends of an inclined crossarm 27 mounted for rotation about afixed axis.' The cross arm 2'! is formed with a threaded opening in a boss 28 interme-- diate itsends and shaped to receive a threaded end portion of a vertically extending tubular spindlei29. As shown, the spindle 29 is disposed for rotation in an elongated bushing 3! supported in an'up'standing sleeve member 32. The latter is screwed on a vertically extending leg 33 of an elbow 34 which has a hose connection 36 screwed vinto its horizontally extending leg 31. Atits lower end the spindle 29 is flared outwardly to engage a shoulder 38 formed on a head 39 dise posed in a chamber 4| formed in the lower end of the sleeve 32. The head 39 is of larger diameter than the opening in the bushing 3| to pre-.

vent removal of the spindle 29 from the bushing 3|. To facilitate assembly and dis-assembly of the spindle, the head .39 may be formed with a slotted end portion, not shown,.for the reception of a screw driver or the like. Spaced fibre discs 32 and 43 separated by a metallic disc 44 are disposed between the head 39 and an'annular shoulder 46 formed at the lower end of the bushing 3| to minimize friction between the respec'- tive parts during rotation of the spindle 29. The discs also serve to prevent leakage of water along the interface between the bushin 3| and the spindle 29 when the sprinkler is in operation.

The above assembly of the nozzles 2| and 22 and cross arm 21 is supported by a suitable base 41 which in this instance is of general bell shape. To this end an annular fiange 48 of the bellshaped base is clamped between a shoulder 49 on the elbow 34 and an end of the sleeve member 32. As shown; the bell-shaped base flares downwardly from its point of retention between the elbow and the sleeve to a point below the elbow and then upwardly to terminate in an outer annular rib or beaded portion 5|. Spaced inwardly from the beaded portion 5|, the base is formed with apertures 52 (see Fig. 2). As shown, the leg 31 of the elbow 34 projects through an opening 53 formed in the base 41.

The nozzle 2|, preferably shaped to discharge what may be termed a full stream, is threaded into the upper end of the cross arm 21 and is positioned so that the stream of water is discharged unimpeded radially outwardly from the spindle 29 and at an upwardly inclined angle corresponding with the axis of the nozzle 2| and the passage 24. The nozzle 22 is positioned herein so that the stream of water discharged therefrom is directed in the same general direction as the stream of water from the nozzle 2| but in spaced relation thereto. To effect the foregoing, a U-shaped conduit 54 is mounted at the lower end of the arm 21 as seen in Figure 1. A leg 56 of the U-shaped member 54 is threaded into the end of the arm 21 in communication with the passageway 26, and an opposite leg 51 is in spaced overlying relation with the leg 56. The nozzle 22 is threaded into the end of the leg 51. The reaction vane 23 is disposed so that the stream of water discharged from the nozzle 22 impinges directly thereagainst. The speed of rotation of the sprinkler depends on the distance between the nozzle 22 and the vane 23 together with the angular position of the reaction vane. Consequently it is to be understood that the vane may be placed at any suitable distance and angular position with respect to the nozzle 22 depending on the desired rotation of the sprinkler. For purposes of illustration, in Figure 1 the vane is disposed at a position radially beyond the nozzle 2|. Herein the vane is in the form of a tab formed on the end of a tubular shield 58, the purpose of which will presently appear. The tab 23 is rigidly supported at the outer end of the shield by suitable ribs 53 and 6| integral with the end of the shield 58. The latter ribs are inclined or curved out of the plane of the vane and also serve to deflect water impinging against the vane 23 in a generally upwardly and downwardly direction to a confined pattern. As shown in Fig. 4 the vane 23 is inclined at an angle with respect to the vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the tube 58. With reference to Fig. 5, it will be seen that an extreme outer end 62 of the vane 23 is also deformed in a slight curvature out of the plane of the vane 23. This deformation of the vane 23 causes a portion of the water being impinged against the vane 23 to be deflected in the form of mist falling in an area adjacent to the spindle 29. The above construction and arrangement of the vane 23 with its deformed edge portions provides a uniform water distribution through out the effective area of the sprinkler, that is, between the axis of rotation of the spindle 29 and the extreme distance reached by the water discharged from the nozzle 2|.

The speed of rotation of the nozzles 2| and 22 may be varied by changing the position of the impinging stream on the vane 23 so that more or less water may be directed against the latter. To effect this change the position of the nozzle 22 may be adjusted by rotating the U-shaped member 54 about the leg 56 which is threaded into the lower end of the arm 21. To facilitate rotating the U-shaped member 54, a suitable web 63 is provided between the legs 56 and 51.

Provision is made for shielding the stream being directed against the vane 23 so that gusts of wind or other physical means do not interfere with the efficient operation of the sprinkler. For this purpose the generally tubular member 58 is mounted to overlie the cross arm 21 and extends between the nozzle 22 and the vane 23, which as shown in this instance, is formed by the tab on the upper end of the tubular member 58. At its lower edges, side walls 60 of the member 58 are spaced apart by shoulders 64 and 66 formed at opposite ends of the cross arm 21 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Screws 61 and 68, respectively, threaded into the shoulders 64 and 66 rigidly secure the shield member 58 to the cross arm 21. Another factor in avoiding the effects of wind is the arrangement of the cross arm 21 and the shield member 58 substantially in dynamic balanced relation to the vertical axis mounting about which these parts rotate.

The operation of the above sprinkler may be readily understood from the foregoing but is here summarized briefly. When the sprinkler is connected to a hose, water flows through the elbow 31, the hollow spindle 29, the passageway 24, and is discharged through nozzle 2 The stream of water being discharged from nozzle 2| is unimpeded in its flow and because of the angle or elevation of the nozzle, this stream is distributed over the widest area. Simultaneously, water flows through the passageway 26 through the U- shaped member 54 and is discharged through the nozzle 22. The stream of water discharged from nozzle 22 impinges against the reaction vane 23. This impingement of the water effects rotation of the nozzles. The vane 23 is positioned so that portions of the water impinging against the vane 23 are deflected to assure a uniform water distribution pattern throughout the distance from the axis of rotation of the nozzles to the area covered by the water discharged from the nozzle 2 The speed of rotation of the nozzles may be varied by changing the position of the nozzle 22 with respect to the vane 23 so that more or less of the stream discharged therefrom impinges against the vane 23.

In Figs. 610 the invention is shown embodied in a sprinkler better adapted for larger areas such as on golf links and for horticultural or agricultural purposes. In this embodiment two nozzles 1| and 12, in communication with passageways 13 and 14, respectively, are mounted at opposite ends of an inclined cross arm 16 mounted for rotation about a fixed axis. The nozzle 1| is positioned to discharge radially outwardly from the fixed axis and the nozzle 12 is mounted at one end of a leg of a U-shaped member 15 in communication with the passaeeway 14 to reverse the direction of flow of the water in passageway 14 so that nozzle 12 discharges in the same direction as the nozzle 1|. The arm 16 is formed with a boss 11 having a threaded opening for the reception of a threaded end of a tubular spindle 18. The latter is rotatably mounted by a sleeve member 19 supported at itsrlower end by an elbow 8'! con-' nected to a conduit 82. The spindle 18 is formed with an enlargedportion 82 adjacent to its lower end. The enlarged portion is disposed in a chamber .83 formed in the elbow 8| and is of a diameter larger than the diameter of the opening in the sleeve 19 to prevent removal of the spindle 1B. Bearing members 84 and 86 are disposed between the enlarged portion 82 and an end '81 of the sleeve and a shoulder 88 formed on the elbow 8 I, respectively.

This nozzle assembly is mounted for ready portability. For this purpose the elbow 8| is mounted-on a U-shaped strap 9| as by bolts extending through ears 92 integral with the elbow- 81. --At the outer end of the legs 93 and 94,-respectively,the strap is formed with openings for the reception of an axle 96. Wheels ST-and 98 are secured to the axle 96 adjacent the legs 93 and 9'4 respectively.

As shown in Fig. 6, a reaction vane 99 is disposed between the nozzles H and 72. To this end the vane, disposed in a generally vertical plane, is secured as by screws I!!! to an upstanding rib |02 formed on the upper end of the cross arm 16 adjacent to the nozzle II. An extreme outer end )3 of the vane 99 is deformed or curved out of the plane of the vane as seen in Fig. 8 in a manner described for the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-5. Also, as shown in Fig. 9, upper and lower edges I04 and IE6 of the vane 99 are curved out of the plane of the vane for the purpose described for the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-5. A wind shield It! is formed by a member having a generally U-shaped cross section as seen in Fig. 10. The shield i! is secured to the cross arm l6 as by screws I08 threaded into shoulders N19 for spacing the side walls of the shield I91. The operation of this embodiment is the same as that described for the sprinkler shown in Figs. 1-5.

While I have shown several embodiments of my invention it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto since many modifications may be made and I therefore contemplate by the claims to cover such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a sprinkler, the combination of a support having a passageway for connection to a liquid supply, a spindle rotatably mounted on said support and having a passageway in communication with the passageway in the support, a first conduit extending substantially radially outwardly from the spindle and being in communication with said passageway in the spindle, a first nozzle at the end of the first conduit for directing the fiow of liquid radially outwardly from the spindle, a second conduit in communication with said passageway in the spindle disposed on the opposite side of said spindle with respect to said first conduit and havin an end portion shaped to reverse the direction of flow of liquid therethrough, a second nozzle at the end of said second conduit, and a reaction vane mounted on the first conduit between the first nozzle and the spindle and disposed in the path of fiuid being discharged from said second nozzle to effect rotation of said nozzles.

2. In a sprinkler, the combination of a support having a passageway for connection to a liquid-supply, a spindle rotatably mounted on said supportand having a passageway incommunication with *theepassagewayinl the support; afirst: conduits extending substantially radially outwardly from the spindle and being in communication with said passageway in the spindle,

a first nozzle: at the end of the first conduit for directing the 'fiow of" liquid radially: outwardly from the spindle, a second conduit in communication with said passageway in the spindle andhaving'an end portion shaped to reverse the direction of flow of fluid, a second nozzle at the end of said second conduit, and-a reaction vanepmeans forrigidly supporting said vane relative to said first conduit and'disposed at a position beyond the first nozzle, said vane being disposed .Lin'the pathof fluid discharged from csaid'se'cond iiozzle to effect rotation of said'fi'rstand second nozzles. I

' 3. In asprinkler, the combination of a support having a passageway for connection to a liquid supply, a spindle rotatably mounted on said support and having a passageway in communication with the passageway in the support, a first conduit extending substantially radially outwardly from the spindle and in communication with said passageway in the spindle, a first nozzle at the end of the first conduit for directing the flow of liquid radially outwardly, a second conduit in communication with said passageway in the spindle and extending radially outwardly from thespindle, a U-shaped conduit member having one leg connected to said second conduit and having its opposite leg disposed in spaced parallel relation with the first leg, a second nozzle connected to said opposite leg of the U-shaped member, a reaction vane, and means for supporting said vane rigidly with said first nozzle and disposed in the path of fluid being discharged from said second nozzle to effect rotation of said nozzles.

4. In a sprinkler, the combination of a support having a passageway for connection to a liquid supply, a spindle rotatably mounted on said support and having a passageway in communication with the passageway in the support, a first conduit extending substantially radially outwardly from the spindle and in communication with said passageway in the spindle, a first nozzle at the end of the first conduit to direct the fiow of liquid radially outwardly, a second conduit in communication with said passageway-in the spindle and extending radially outwardly from the spindle, a U-shaped conduit member having one leg connected to the end of said second conduit and having its opposite leg disposed in spaced parallel relation with the first leg, 9. second nozzle connected to said second leg portionof the U-shaped member, a reaction vane, means for supporting said vane rigidly with said first nozzle and disposed in the path of liquid being discharged from said second nozzle to effect rotation of said nozzles, said U-shaped member being angularly rotatable about one of its legs to vary the position of the second nozzle.

5. In a sprinkler, the combination of a support having a passageway for connection to a liquid supply, a spindle rotatably mounted on said support and having a passageway in communication with the passageway on the support, a first conduit extending radially outwardly from the spindle and in communication with said passageway in the spindle, a first nozzle disposed at the end of the first conduit to direct the fiow of liquid radially outwardly from the spindle, a second conduit in communication with said passageway in-the-spindle and having an end portiontumed back on itself to reverse the direction of fiow of liquid, a second nozzle at the end of said second conduit, 3. reaction vane, means for supporting said vane rigidly with said first conduit and disposed in the path of liquid being discharged from said second nozzle to effect rotation of said nozzles, and shielding means disposed between the reaction vane and the second nozzle, said shielding means providing a protected passageway for the stream of water being discharged from the second nozzle to said vane.

6. In a sprinkler, the combination of a stationary support defining a fixed axis, a nozzle mounted on said support for rotation about said fixed axis, conduit means defining a passageway through which liquid under pressure may be supplied to said nozzle for discharge therefrom as a liquid stream, a reaction vane, means for supporting said reaction vane in fixed relationship relative to said nozzle for rotation therewith and disposed in the stream of liquid discharged from said nozzle for causing rotation of said nozzle, said vane being disposed at a substantial distance from said nozzle several times the length of said'nozzle-whereby a free stream of liquid of substantial length exists between said nozzle and vane upon operation of said sprinkler, and shield means disposed between said nozzle and said vane for shielding the stream of liquid being discharged from the nozzle against the effects of wind or the like.

7. In a sprinkler, the combination of a stationary support defining a fixed axis, a first discharge nozzlemounted on said support for rotation about said fixed axis, conduit means defining a passageway through which liquid under pressure may be supplied to said first nozzle for discharge therefrom as a liquid stream in a direction radially outwardly from said fixed axis, a second discharge nozzle rotatable with said first nozzle and connected to said conduit means whereby a stream of liquid is discharged from said second nozzle, a reaction vane, means for supporting said reaction vane in fixed relationship relative to said nozzles for rotation therewith and disposed in the stream of liquid discharged from said second nozzle for causing rotation of said nozzles, said vane being disposed at a substantial distance from said second nozzle several times the length of either of said nozzles whereby a free stream of liquid of substantial length exists between said second nozzle and said vane upon operation of said sprinkler, and shield means disposed between said second nozzle and said vane for shielding the stream of liquid being discharged from the nozzle against the ef fects of wind or the like.

8. In a sprinkler, the combination of a stationary support defining a fixed axis, a first discharge nozzle mounted on said support for rotation about said fixed axis, conduit means defining a passageway through which liquid under pressure may be supplied to said first nozzle for discharge therefrom as a liquid stream in a direction radially outwardly from said fixed axis, a second discharge nozzle rotatable with said first nozzle and connected to said conduit means whereby stream of liquid is discharged from said second nozzle, a reaction vane, means for supporting said reaction vane in fixed relationship relative to said nozzles for rotation therewith and disposed in the stream of liquid discharged from said second nozzle for causing rotation of said nozzles, said vane being disposed at a substantial distance from said second nozzle several times the length of either of said nozzles whereby a free stream of liquid of substantial length exists between said second nozzle and said vane upon operation of said sprinkler, and an elongated U-shaped member defining a shield for shielding against the wind and other interferences the stream of liquid between said second nozzle and said vane.

9. In a sprinkler, the combination of a rotatably mounted first nozzle shaped to discharge an unimpeded liquid stream radially outwardly from a fixed axis, a reaction vane rigidly supported relative to said first nozzle and adjacent the discharge end of said first nozzle thereby movable as unit therewith, and a second'nozzle shaped to discharge a liquid stream therefrom and mounted for rotation with said first nozzle about said fixed axis, said second nozzle being positioned on the opposite side of said fixed axis relative to said first nozzle and on a vertical plane common to said fixed axis and both of said nozzles, said second nozzle including means for reversing the direction of fiow of liquid prior to discharge from said second nozzle to cause the flow of liquid therefrom to impinge against said vane to effect rotation of the first and second nozzles.

10. In a sprinkler, the combination of a stationary support defining a fixed axis, a first nozzle mounted on said support for rotation about said fixed axis and shaped to discharge liquid radially outwardly from said fixed axis, a reaction vane disposed above the longitudinal axis of said first nozzle, means for supporting said vane as a rigid unit with said first nozzle; a second nozzle mounted for rotation about said fixed axis and positioned on the opposite sideof said fixed axis relative to said vane, said second nozzle being arranged to discharge liquid in a path of fiow substantially parallel to and overlying the path of fiow of the first nozzle to impinge against said vane whereby the reaction of the liquid in deflecting from said vane rotates said nozzles.

11. In a sprinkler, the combination of a stationary support defining a fixed axis, a first nozzle mounted on said support for rotation about said fixed axis shaped to discharge liquid radially outwardly from said fixed axis, a second nozzle disposed on the opposite side of said fixed axis relative to said first nozzle, means for supporting said second nozzle for rotation about said fixed axis in unison with said first nozzle, said second nozzle positioned to discharge liquid in the same direction as the first nozzle, a reaction vane, means for supporting said vane so as to be rigid with respect to said nozzles and disposed in the path of the discharged liquid of one of said nozzles to effect rotation of said. nozzles.

12. In a sprinkler, the combination of a first nozzle disposed a predetermined distance from a fixed axis and mounted for rotation thereabout, said nozzle being shaped to discharge liquid radially outwardly from said axis, a second nozzle mounted a second predetermined distance from the fixed axis and rotatable in unison with the first nozzle, a reaction vane, means for supporting said vane rigidly with respect to said first nozzle and in a position at a distance beyond the first nozzle so that the longitudinal axis of said second nozzle beginning with the discharge end thereof intersects both the surface of said vane and said fixed axis and is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis ofsaid first nozzle, said;

reaction vane being disposed in the discharge path of said second nozzle whereby the impingement of the fluid on the vane effects rotation of said nozzles.

13. The arrangement set forth in claim 11 in which said vane is disposed between said first nozzle and said fixed axis and. in the path of liquid discharged from said second nozzle.

IVAR J EPSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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